According to several reports, Japan is redefining the word rape in the country as they raise the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16.
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On Friday (June 16), while focusing on stricter sex crime laws, Japan’s parliament passed new legislation redefining the word rape, and raising the legal age of consent. Previously, the age of sexual content was at only 13, and is now 16. The limit has remained unchanged for more than a century, and was listed as one of the world’s lowest ages of consent.
It is reported that the previous laws did not protect those who were coerced into having sex, which subsequently deterred survivors of such attacks from reporting the sex crimes. Some of the new laws passed also increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues.
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It is also noted that the reformative laws, which will now offer greater protection for sexual abuse survivors and will enforce stricter punishment for suspects, have been a long time coming in the country. Reportedly, it is mostly due to the legislative and judicial branches having seats long-dominated by mostly men.
Back in 2017, the country first revised its criminal code on sexual crimes for the first time in more than 110 years. It was then followed by a series of acquittals in sexual abuse cases, and growing cases of revenge porn, child porn, and “photo voyeurism,” which includes upskirting and secret filming of sexual acts, etc. This only triggered public outrage, which is now prompting new revisions and better protection for survivors.
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Now with the new laws in Japan, parliament explicitly outlined eight scenarios where it would be difficult for a “victim to form, express, or fulfill an intention not to consent” to sexual intercourse.
Some of these instances include when “the victim is intoxicated with alcohol or drugs; subject to violence or threats; or is frightened or astonished.” Another scenario outlines an instance of an abuse of power, where the “victim is worried” of the consequences of refusing the suspect’s demands.
Such consequences include violence and harassment from the suspect, and in some cases, when survivors go public, they often receive threats and mean comments online from others.
Additionally, the statute of limitations for reporting rape has been extended to 15 years from 10 years, allowing for more time for survivors to come forward.
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